Cipla Acquires Elores from Venus Remedies to Expand Anti-Infective Portfolio

On October 18, 2019, VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) learned from foreign media reports that Indian pharmaceutical giant Cipla announced the acquisition of Elores, an anti-infective patented drug from biopharmaceutical company Venus Remedies. No financial terms of the acquisition have been disclosed.

Following the completion of this acquisition, Cipla will continue to develop anti-infective drugs, expand its product market, and broaden its business in the critical care sector.

Elores is a combination of ceftriaxone, sulbactam, and edetate disodium (EDTA), indicated for complicated urinary tract infections such as acute pyelonephritis. Edetate disodium is an antibiotic resistance breaker (ARB) that overcomes bacterial resistance barriers, helps preserve antibiotic efficacy, and enhances the antimicrobial activity of the drug. Launched in India in 2013, the product is designated for the treatment of severe infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria.

Venus Remedies, established in 1989 and headquartered in India, is a leading biopharmaceutical company. The company primarily focuses on research into antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance, developing innovative drugs for oncology and infectious diseases. Additionally, Venus Remedies is engaged in the development and commercialization of novel drug delivery systems and fixed-dose injectables. The company boasts key research programs and world-class manufacturing facilities, with offices in countries including Germany, Colombia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.

Cipla, founded in 1935 and headquartered in Mumbai, India, is one of India’s top pharmaceutical companies. The company develops drugs and novel drug delivery systems across multiple therapeutic areas, with a portfolio of over 1,500 products for research, development, and production. Cipla aims to become a global leader in healthcare, leveraging advanced technologies and innovative products to meet patients’ medical needs. The company was listed on the National Stock Exchange of India in September 2000 under the stock code CIPLA.

Cipla has developed antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) for HIV/AIDS to inhibit HIV replication and enhance patients’ immune function. Since 2001, the company has remained committed to providing ARVs to African patients at ultra-low prices and supporting them in receiving triple-drug antiretroviral therapy. Cipla has consistently adhered to its quality standards, delivering low-cost, high-quality medications to patients. Currently, it has become one of the most respected pharmaceutical companies in India and in more than 100 countries worldwide.

In addition to Elores, Cipla acquired ZEMDRI, an anti-urinary tract infection drug, from Achaogen, a broad-spectrum antibiotic developer, to expand its antimicrobial product portfolio. In April 2019, Cipla acquired a 30% stake in Brandmed, a South African digital health company, to expand its operations in the connected healthcare sector. Furthermore, Cipla acquired a minority stake in Wellthy Therapeutics, an early-stage health technology company, to provide a digital disease management platform for patients with cardiometabolic diseases.

“Acquiring Elores demonstrates our confidence in the R&D of anti-infective products,” said Umang Vohra, Managing Director and Global CEO of Cipla. At the recently held VCCircle Healthcare Summit, Vohra further stated, “Cipla may shift from drug R&D and manufacturing to healthcare services, as we define ourselves as a healthcare service provider rather than merely a pharmaceutical supplier.”

Saransh Chaudhary, CEO of Venus Remedies, stated, “Although Venus Remedies has sold Elores to Cipla, antimicrobial drugs remain our research focus.”

(Compiled by Xu Xiaoxue)